Carolina Sky Blue

In her second full season with the Sky, Tamera Young is looking to make a big impact after replacing the departed Shameka Christon in the starting line-up this season. In 2010 Young was able to provide some positive minutes for the team, but the North Carolina native is striving to accomplish even more this year.

“I want to be more consistent offensively. Everyone knows that I’m a great defender but I want to have a good overall game. That’s something I’ve been working on and I just need to be more confident and believe in myself.”

Having once attended the same high school as Michael Jordan, Young is proud to be now also playing for the same city as six-time NBA champion and Chicago Bulls legend.

She remembers what it was like going to Emsley A. Laney High School.

“He would always send us sweatshirts, shoes and there were posters of him all over the school. It was great and an honor to attend the same school as someone like him.”

Young says her family has been her main support system throughout her basketball career. She believes that by taking one step at a time and pushing herself daily is how she’ll be most effective in helping the team reach post season play for the first time in 2011.

“All of my coaches and everyone in my family tells me to believe in myself,” Young said. “That’s something I’ve always stuck with, because not everyone is going to believe in you.”

Young plans to not only win substantial minutes this season but push the team to success.

“I believe I can make a difference. I’m persistent and I refuse to give up,” Young said.